Latch and hinge mechanism



Nov. Z0, 1962 E. B. GulGLl LATCH AND HINGE MECHANISM Filed. Ms- 6, 1957 EMn. B. Gulam Nov. 20, 1962 E. a. GuxGLl 3,064,853.

LATCH AND HINGE MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EMM. B. Gulcau Y l 2 PLQ-1355.

Patented Nov. 20, 1962 l free 3,064,851 LATCH AND HINGE MECHANISM Emil I3. Guigli, Northbrook, Ill., assigner to Canning, Pekara, Incorporated, Chicago, El., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 676,625 11 Claims. (Cl. 22d-I8) This invention relates to combined latch and hinge mechanisms and particularly to locking and hinge mechanisms for horizontally hung members such as frames, doors, and the like.

Although the present invention has general utility, certain advantages thereof are more fully realized when the invention is used in conjunction with overhead members supported on a ceiling. An example of such a member is a frame supporting a diffuser on an overhead lighting fixture. Usually light fixtures of this type can be reached only with diiiiculty. 'Ihe fixtures may be several feet long and several feet wide and, accordingly, removal of the frame supporting the diffuser may be diicult. Many types of fasteners used heretofore to mount such removable frames have required the use of tools and in certain instances have required the efforts of several work men in order to assure that the frame is removed without injury thereto. Often it is desirable to gain access only to one side or the other of the light fixture and, accordingly, removal of the frame completely from the iixture is not necessary or desirable.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved latch and hinge mechanism for use on horizontally hung members such as doors, frames and the like.

In connection with the foregoing object it is another object of the invention to provide a latch and hinge mechanism which can be opened from one side while remaining hingedly connected to the other side.

More specificially, it is an object of the invention to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth which can be opened either from the right or the left while remaining hingedly connected on the other side and which can also be completely removed by detaching both the right hand and left hand side simultaneously.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth in which the releasing action and the latching action can both be accomplished with slight upward pressure on the removable member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth in which no part of the mechanism is visible on the exterior of the fixture when the removable member is in the latched or installed position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth in which one side of the removable member can be hingedly connected at a time without connecting the other side or in which the removable member can be detached even though only one side thereof is hinged to the stationary member.

Still another object of the invention is it provide a latch and hinge assembly which is self contained and completely enclosed whereby it can be mounted in areas such as wiring channels for lighting fixtures without interfering with other parts such as wiring, ballasts and the like contained therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved lighting fixture incorporating therein an improved latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth wherein the stationary iixture member and the removable frame member are constructed to provide excellent light sealing properties.

A further object of the invention is to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth in which the hinge parts are held in proper position for mounting at all times.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a latch and hinge mechanism of the type set forth in which the latch and keeper in latched position are resiliently urged into latching contact whereby to prevent inadvertent unlatching due to jarring or surrounding vibration.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been utilized to designate like parts throughout:

FIGURE l is a perspective View from beneath of a lighting fixture incorporating therein the latch and hinge mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view with certain parts broken away of the lighting iixture of FIGURE l substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 2 2 of FIGURE l, the parts being shown in the full latching position in solid lines and the frame being shown fully removed in horizontal position in dashed lines and being shown in hinged partially open position in dashed lines;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view with certain parts broken away of one of the latching assemblies made in accordance with the present invention and substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view in vertical section through the latch assembly of FIGURE 3 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 4 4 thereof;

FIGURE S is a View in Vertical transverse section through the latch assembly of FIGURE 3 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 5 5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the hinge assemblies of the present invention substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the hinge assembly of FIGURE 6 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view in vertical section through the hinge assembly of FIGURE 6 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 8 8 thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a view in vertical section illustrating the engagement between the hinge member and the keeper during latching engagement thereof;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the parts in the latching position;

FIGURE ll is a view similar to FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrating the parts in the beginning of unlatching movement thereof; and

FIGURE l2 is a View illustrating removal of the latch portion of the hinge member from the keeper.

The latch and hinge mechanism of the present invention is generally useful in all applications wherein it is desired to hang a frame or door in horizontal position upon a support member. For purposes of illustration the invention has been shown in the drawings as applied to a lighting fixture. Certain of the advantages of the invention are most fully realized when employed in such a structure. It is to be understood, however, that the illustration of the invention as applied to the lighting tixture is for purposes of illustration and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention.

In FIGURE 1 there is shown a lighting xture generally designated by the numeral 26 which is made in accordance with the principles of the present invention and has incorporated therein a latch and hinge mechanism made in accordance with the present invention. Fixture 20 includes a housing member 22 having a substantially rectangular outer wall 24 which is closed at one side thereof by a top wall 25 (see FIGURE 2, also). Mounted on the lower edge of wall 24 is a frame generally designated by the numeral 26. Frame 26 is also substantially rectangular in shape and has outer dimensions such that it can't within a depending ange 28 extending downwardly from the lower edge of wall 24. Housing member 22, is xedly supported upon a ceiling 30 which may be 8 to 20 feet from an underlying support floor. Frame 26 is in turn mounted upon housing member-22 by means of one or more pairs of combined latch and hinge mechanisms generally designated by the numeral 32.

Also mounted within housing member 22 is a plurality of light bulbs or emitters such as fluorescent tubes 34. Tubes 34 may be several feet long and may be, for example, 8 feet in length. Disposed along the sides of tubes 34 and separated therefrom by walls 36 are areas 38 also delined in part by top. wall 25 and side walls 24. Areas 38 are adapted to receive and provide housing for wiring, ballast and other equipmentcwhich must be included in order to provide for proper operation of the light tubes 34.

Referring specifically to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that ange 28 is U-shaped and the inner upwardly extending leg 40 thereof has formed on the upper edge thereof an inwardly directed flange 42 extending around housing member 22. The inwardly directed edge of llange 42 has a downturned flange 44 formed therearound, flange 44 terminating above the lower edge of flange 28.

Frame 26 has a horizontally extending ange 46 that extends therearound and is shaped and proportioned to fit within leg 40 of flange 28. Formed on flange 46 is anI upstanding hollow square shaped channel portion 48. The inner edge of flange 46 has an upturned ange 50 formed thereon which extends upwardly to a point substantially even with the upper surface of channel portion 48 and formed on the upper edge thereof is an inturned flange 52 disposed substantially at a right angle thereto. Also formed integral with flange 4,6 but disposed -at an acutel angle therewith and extending inwardly'and outwardly therefrom is yet another Vflange 54 terminating in a horizontally and inwardly directed ange 56. Flanges 54 and 56 are arranged to support and hold a diffuser 58 having a flange 60 disposed between flanges 46 and 56.

Diffuser 58 may be formed of glass or a suitable plastic as is well known in the art. A plastic or metal louver may also be positioned between flanges 52 and 56.

The anges 44 and 50 are disposed adjacent to each other iu the mounted position of the parts and the lower end of flange 44 extends downwardly below the horizontal flange 52. Flange 44 in combination with channel portion 48 and flange 50 provide a light seal whereby to prevent spurious light emission around the line of juncturer between frame 26 and housing member 22.l This effective light seal is made possible by the improved latch and hinge mechanism 32 to be described more fully hereinafter.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 2 through 8 of the drawings, the construction and operation of the combined latch and hinge mechanism will now be described in detail. Mechanism 32 includes a latch assembly designated generally by the numeral 62 (see FIG- URES 3 through 5) and a hinge assembly generally are apertured to receive screws 82 therethrough to mount latch assembly 62 upon housing ilange 42. Mounted within housing 66 is a substantially U-shaped frame generally designated by the numeral 84 including a pair of legs 86 and 88 connected by a web portion 90. Formed in web portion 90 adjacent one edge thereof and more specifically adjacent to the leg 86 is a generally U-shaped keeper 92 having a pair of vertically extending walls 94 and 96 and a horizontally extending wall 9S joining the lower ends of walls 94 and 96. As may be best seen in FIGURE 4 of the drawings the ends of keeper 92 extend beyond the ends of frame legs 86 and 88.

A transverse slot is formed in frame 84 and keeper 92 to receive therein a cam plate 1&9. Cam plate 19t), is mounted to slide vertically in the slot and has apair of shoulders 102 and 184 (see FIGURES 5' and 9 through l2, particularly) which are adapted to abut against stop'members 106 and 168, respectively ('see particularly FIGURE 5), whereby to limit downward movement of cam plateV 160. The upper edge 110 of cam plate 190' extends in general alignment with the upper surface of web 99 when shoulders 102-104 are in abutment against stop members M16-108. A iiat leaf spring 112 is provided between housing top wall 68 and cam plate 1G@ continually to urge cam plate 100 into. the downward position as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5V of the drawings.

The hinge assembly 64 includes a rst half hinge 114 which is generally L-shaped in cross section see FIGURE 8) and includes a mounting flange 1,16 and a downturned flange 118. Flange 116 is apertured to receive therethrough bolts 1,20 which are adaptedhto pass through apertures in the channel portion 4 8. andthreadedly engage nuts 122 disposed therein. This constructionserves to mount half hinge 114 upon frame 26.

Pivoted to half hinge 114 iS 2,1A second half hinge 124, a hinge pin 125' serving pivotally to interconnect half hinges 114 and 124. Extending yupwardly on the opposite ends of half hinge 124 are opposed latches 126 having keeper engaging surfaces 128 formed thereon. Latches 126 are generally hooked-shaped and are spaced apart a distance s uch that keeper 92V can be received therebetween vm'thin notches 130 therein which serve to provide the keeper engaging surfaces 128. Accordingly, the keeper engaging surfaces 128 are adapted to lie within and be sup,- ported by keeper 92 as'is illustrated in FIGURE l0 of the drawing.

A hinge spring 132 is provided interconnecting half hinges 114 and 124 whereby to urge half hinge 124 toward half hinge 114 as is illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 8 of the drawings. A stop 134 is provided to tix the position that half hinge 124 assumes when under the full inuence of spring 132.

During the latching motion necessary to engage latches 126 upon keeper 92, it is desirable that cam plate 100 guide half hinge 124'. ToV this end the cam plate 100 is provided with a cam surface 136 which is inclined downwardly and inwardly as viewed in the drawings. A cam striker 138 is provided on half hinge 124 between latches 126 and in position to engage cam surface 136.

The manner in which the latches 126 engage in keeper` 92 and are disengaged therefrom can be best illustrated by reference to FIGURES 9 through l2 of the drawings. Assuming that it is desired to latch and hinge frame 26 on housing member 22, the frame 26 is rst placed immediately below the opening in housing member 22. At this time the spring 132 will move the half hinge 124 to the position illustrated by solid lines in FIGURE 9 and as illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 8 of the drawings. Upward movement of frame 26 will urge cam striker 138 into contact with cam surface 136. Continued upward movement of frame 26 and striker 138,will urge cam 100 upwardly against the pressure of spring 112 to the position illustratedl by dashed lines in FIGURE 9. The relative strength of springs 112 and 132 is such that spring 112 is stronger than spring 132 so that upward movement ofV cam striker 138 also serves to pivot half hinge 124 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 9 during upward movement thereof whereby to place latch 126 in the position illustrated in dashed lines in FIGURE 9. It will be seen that latches 126 are in abutment with the right hand sides of stops 140 which depend downwardly from the top wall 68 of latch assembly housing 66. Preferably stops 140 are positioned substantially centrally of U-shaped keeper 92 and have a width substantially less than the width of keeper 92. Further upward movement of the parts is not possible because of the presence of spring 112. It is to be noted that the only movement of frame 26 has been in a vertical position although the half hinge 124 has also had a lateral component of motion imparted thereto by cam plate 100.

By simply dropping frame 26, the latches 126 will be moved into the U-shaped keeper 92 as illustrated in FIG- URE 10 of the drawings since the vertical extent of the latches 126 is greater than the vertical distance between the lower edge of the stops 40 and the web portion 90. It is also to be noted that spring 132 will tend to urge the half hinge 124 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 10 but downward movement of cam plate 100 under the urging of spring 112 will actually move cam striker 138 and latches 126 to the position illustrated in solid lines; that position is against the left hand side of keeper 92 or against wall 94 thereof.

Spring 112 will continually urge cam plate 100 downwardly against cam striker 138 which in turn will continually urge latches 126 downwardly against the lower wall 98 of keeper 92. This constant downward urging of latches 126 into keeper 92 will prevent inadvertent unlatching motion of the parts due to jarring or dueto vibrations of surrounding parts. Accordingly, frame 26 will be firmly and securely mounted upon housing member 22.

If it is desired to remove latches 126 from keeper 92, the associated side of frame 26 is simply pushed upwardly. Upward pushing of frame 26 will urge cam plate 100 upwardly to the position illustrated by solid lines in FIGURE ll of the drawings. The pressure of cam plate 100 acting through cam surface 136 against cam striker 138 will cause half hinge 124 to be pivoted to the position illustrated by dashed lines in FIGURE ll. More specifically, the latches 126 are now positioned to the left of stops 140 and keeper engaging surfaces 128 are now positioned above the frame wall 90 whereby to permit them to be moved clear of keeper 92. Continued urging of cam plate 100 serves to move the half hinge 124 to the position illustrated by dashed lines in FIGURE 1l whereby the latches 124 are clear of keeper 92.

By simply dropping the associated side of frame 26, the latches 126 can move downwardly sincethey are disposed outwardly with respect to the frame wall 90. Such motion is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE l2 of the drawings. As soon as half hinge 124 clears cam plate 100, cam plate 100 returns to the lowermost position and half hinge 124 is pulled by spring 132 against stop 134. The parts will remain in this predetermined position until it is desired again to interconnect the latches 126 and keeper 92. Accordingly, the latch and hinge parts are in proper position for mounting at all times.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings there is diagrammatically illustrated in that figure how the latch and hinge mechanisms 32 act both as latches and hinges. For example if it is desired completely to remove frame 26 from housing member 22, the operator presses upwardly on both sides of frame 26. This moves the half hinges 124 to unlatching position and subsequent lowering of frame 26 will serve to move frame 26 to the horizontal position illustrated in dashed lines in FIG- URE 2.

Assuming it is desired to gain access to the interior of housing member 22 yet it is desired to maintain frame 26 hinged thereon, the following course of action is followed. One side of frame 26, for example, the left hand side as viewed in FIGURE 2, is pushed upwardly whereby to move the adjacent half hinge 124 to the unlatching position. The left hand side of frame 26 is then lowered to the angular position illustrated by dashed lines in FIGURE r2 of the drawings. It will be noted that the right hand side still serves as a hinge since the associated half hinge 124 has not been moved to the unlatched position. More specifically, the half hinges 114 and 124 on the right move with respect to each other as illustrated in dashed lines to the right in FIGURE 2, half hinge 114 pivoting in a counterclockwise direction away from half hinge 124.

When mounting frame 26 upon housing member 22, it also is possible to mount only one side at a time if desired. Also it is possible to detach frame 26 from housing member 22 when frame 26 is suspended by a single hinge as illustrated by dashed lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

As can be seen from FIGURE 2 of the drawings the latch and hinge mechanisms 32 are ordinarily positioned within the housing area 38 which receives the wire and ballast. Because the hinge and latch parts are completely enclosed within housing 66, there will be no interference of the latch and hinge mechanism with the wiring and conversely there will be no interference of the wiring with the proper operation of the latch and hinge mechanisms 32.

It will be seen that there has been provided a latch and hinge mechanism which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. There also has been provided an improved lighting fixture incorporating the new latch and hinge mechanism. Although one preferred form of the invention has been described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A combined latch and hinge mechanism to interconnect a first member and a second member, comprising a keeper mounted on the first member, a stop mounted on the first member in general alignment with said keeper, a first half hinge mounted on the second member, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latch on said second half hinge, means resiliently urging said latch to a predetermined position on said second member, and latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on the iirst member and normally urged away from said keeper, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with said stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam permitting said cam to move said latch into engagement with said keeper, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam t0 move said latch out of engagement with said keeper past said stop, said half hinges serving hingedly to interconnect the associated first and second member upon engagement of said latch with said keeper.

2. A combined latch and hinge mechanism to interconnect a iirst member and a second member, comprising a keeper mounted on the first member, a first half hinge mounted on the second member, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latch on said second half hinge, latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on the first member and norv mally urged away from said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said striker is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with said keeper after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam, subsequent urging of said cam striker against said cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper, said half hinges serving hingedly to interconnect the associated first and second members upon engagement of said latch with said keeper.

3Q A combined latch and hinge mechanism to interconnect a first member and a second member, comprising a keeper mounted on the first member, a stop mounted on the first member in general alignment with said keeper, a first half hinge mounted on thevsecond member, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latch on said second half hinge, latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on theV first member and normaily urged `away from said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said striker is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with said stop and after cessation of urging of said striker against said cam permitting said cam to move said latch into engagement with said keeper, subsequent urging of said striker against said 4cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper past said stop, said half hinges serving hingedly-to interconnect the associated first and second members upon engagement of said latch `with said keeper.

4. A combined latch and hinge mechanism to interconnect a first member and a second member, comprising a keeper mounted on the first member, a stop mounted on the rst member in general alignment with said keeper, a first half hinge mounted on the second member, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latch on said second half hinge, means resiliently urging said latch to a predetermined position on said second member, a cam resiliently mounted on the first member and normally urged away from said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said cam being so constructed that when said striker is urged thereagainst said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with said stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam permitting said cam to move said latch into engagement with said keeper, subsequent moving of said striker against said cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper past said stop, said latch urging means thereafter moving said latch to the predetermined position, said half hinges serving hingedly to interconnect the associated first and second members upon engagement of said latch with said keeper.

5. A combination latch and hinge mechanism to suspend a first member from a second member, comprising a substantially U-shaped keeper mounted on the second member with the open side thereof facing upwardly, iatch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on the second member adjacent to said keeper and normally urged downwardly with respect thereto, a stop mounted above said keeper and in general vertical alignment thereabove, a latch pivotally mounted on the first member in position to extend upwardly therefrom and including support portions adapted to be received in said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement against said stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam to move said latch from a position against said stop to place said support portions in said keeper, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch including said support portions out of engagement with said keeper, the pivotal connection between said latch and the associated first member serving hingedly to interconnect the associated first and second mem ers upon engagement of said latch with said keeper.

6. A mounting structure comprising a first member mounted substantially horizontally and providing a frame opening, a second member adapted to be mounted on said first member within the frame opening thereof, and

.a combined latch and hinge mechanism interconnecting said first member and said second member, said mechanism including a keeper mounted on said first member, a first half hinge mounted on said second member, a second half hinge-connected to said first hait hinge, a latchV on said second half-hinge, and latch directing means including a cam resilientlymounted on said first member and normally urged away from said keeper, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagementV with said keeper after cessation of urging of said latch against'said cam, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to movesaid latch out of engagement with said keeper, said half hinges serving hingedly to interconnect said first and second members upon engagement of said latch with said keeper. l

7. A mounting structure comprising a first member mounted substantially horizontally and providing a frame opening, a second member adapted to be mounted on said first member within the frameopening thereof, and a combined latch and hinge mechanism interconnecting said first member and said second member, said mechaanis including a substantially U-shaped keeper mounted on said first member with the open side thereof facing upwardly, latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on said second member adjacent to said keeper and normally urged downwardly with respect thereto, a stop mounted above said keeper and in general-vertical alignment thereabove, a latch pivotally mounted on said second member in position to extend upwardly therefrom and including support portions adapted to be received in said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement against said stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam to move said latch from a position against said stop to place said support portions in said keeper, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch including said support portions out of engagement with said keeper, the pivotal connection between said latch and said first member serving hingedly to interconnect said first and second members upon cngagement of said latch with said keepers.

8. A mounting structure comprising a first member mounted substantially horizontally and providing a frame opening, a second member adapted to be mounted on said rst member within the frame opening thereof, and a pair of combined latch and hinge mechanisms interconnecting said first member and said second member, each of said mechanisms including a keeper mounted on the firstm-ember, a first half hinge mounted on said second member, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latchy on said second half hinge, and latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on the first member and normally urged away from said keeper, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into -engagement with said keeper after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper, said half hinges of one of said mechanisms serving hingedly to interconnect said first and second members upon engagement of said latch and said keeper of said one mechanism when said latch and said keeper of the other mechanism are disengaged.

9. A lighting xture comprising a housing mounted upon a ceiling and having an Opening therein, a downwardlyextending first fiange formed around the periphery of said housing and spaced inwardly from the lower edge thereof, a frame adapted to close the opening in said housing, said frame having a U-shaped upwardly extending fiange disposed around the periphery thereof and adapted to receive said first flange therein t0 provide a light seal therewith, and a pair of combined latch and hinge mechanisms interconnecting said housing member and said frame; each of said mechanisms including a keeper mounted on said housing, a first half hinge mounted on said frame, a second half hinge hingedly connected to said first half hinge, a latch on said second half hinge, and latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on said housing and normally urged away from said keeper, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with said keeper after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper, said half hinges in one of said mechanisms serving hingedly to interconnect said housing and said frame upon engagement of said latch with said keeper in said one mechanism when said latch and said keeper of the other mechanism are disengaged.

10. A lighting fixture comprising a housing mounted upon a ceiling and having an opening therein, a downwardly extending first flange formed around the periphery of said housing and spaced inwardly from the lower edge thereof, a frame adapted to close the opening in said housing, said frame having a U-shaped upwardly extending ange disposed around the periphery thereof and adapted to receive said iirst ange therein to provide a light seal therewith, and a pair of combined latch and hinge mechanisms interconnecting said housing member and said frame, each of said mechanisms including a substantially U-shaped keeper mounted on said housing with the open side thereof facing upwardly, a latch directing means including a cam resiliently mounted on said housing adjacent to said keeper and normally urged downwardly with respect thereto, a stop mounted above said keeper and in general vertical alignment thereabove, a latch pivotally mounted on said frame in position to extend upwardly therefrom and including support portions adapted to be received in said keeper, and a cam striker mounted on said latch, said latch directing means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement against said stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam to move said latch from a position against said stop to place said support portions in said keeper, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch including said support portions out of engagement with said keeper, one of said mechanisms serving hingedly to interconnect said housing and said frame -upon engagement of the latch and keeper of said one mechanism when the latch and keeper ofthe other mechanism are disengaged.

l1. A combined push release latch and hinge mechanism for interconnecting a first member and a second member, said mechanism comprising a keeper mounted on the first member, a stop mounted on the first member in general alignment with said keeper, a latch hingedly mounted on the second member, spring means for pivoting said latch in one direction, latch directing means including a cam slidably mounted on the first member, and spring means for urging said cam in the direction away from the second member, said latch directing means and said spring means being so constructed that when said latch is urged against said cam said latch will be guided by said cam into engagement with same stop and after cessation of urging of said latch against said cam permitting said cam under the urging of said spring means to move said latch into engagement with said keeper, subsequent urging of said latch against said cam causing said cam to move said latch out of engagement with said keeper past said stop.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,146 Dow Nov. 4, 1941 2,273,455 Whitman et al. Feb. 17, 1942 2,321,946 Sebell June 15, 1943 2,557,048 Haase June 12, 1951 2,587,423 Young Feb. 26, 1952 2,588,760 Pryne Mar. 11, 1952 2,794,664 Kruger .lune 4, 1957 2,868,577 VZingone Ian. 13, 1959 

